Golf
Odds slashed on European Ryder Cup hero to join LIV Golf
The betting odds on the PGA Tour‘s reigning FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland being the next player to make a shock switch to the LIV Golf League have been slashed over the past 24 hours, according to one oddsmaker.
Hovland, 26, enjoyed his greatest season to date in 2023 with three wins resulting in him etching his name on the coveted FedEx Cup trophy for the first time in his career.
The talented Norwegian also proved a major thorn in the United States Ryder Cup side at Marco Simone as Europe ran out five-point winners in Rome.
But the wheels have somewhat fallen off for the European Ryder Cup hero in recent months, with his issues seemingly compounded by axing his golf coach.
In six starts on the PGA Tour this season, Hovland has unthinkably chalked up just one top-20 finish, coming with a T19 at the Genesis Invitational in February.
He was last seen missing the cut at The Masters – and a four-inch putt – following a dismal 81 in the second round at Augusta National.
Hovland then decided to immediately WD from the RBC Heritage the week after, which came as a shock to many given the Hilton Head event marked one of the PGA Tour’s eight signature events of the season with an inflated $20m prize purse.
Hovland had a week to forget at The Masters
According to insiders, Hovland is strongly considering his future on the PGA Tour and he has been in regular conversation with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman and others on the breakaway Saudi-bankrolled league.
Talks are said to have intensified in recent months with Hovland understood to be a vocal critic of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and his current handling of the ongoing PGA Tour – PIF merger talks.
Last month, Hovland accused the PGA Tour boss of sweeping mistakes ‘under the rug’.
Hovland has also wanted nothing to do with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy‘s new TGL, which will start up in early 2025.
Hovland talks to LIV Golf’s Smith at The Masters
The World No.7 is now also safe in the knowledge his Ryder Cup future is more than likely safe whatever happens, especially in light of last week’s news surrounding new high-profile LIV Golf signings Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
According to BestPayoutOnlineSlots.com, Hovland is the new favourite to become the next player to join LIV Golf with his odds having been slashed from 7/1 into 5/2 this week.
Lee Astley of BestPayoutOnlineSlots.com told GolfMagic:
“Hovland has been touted as LIV’s next big name to join the grid alongside the likes of major winners Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith. The Norwegian has been a vocal critic of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan’s handling of the PGA-PIF merger and a fresh outlook could be exactly what his career needs.”
According to the Telegraph, the PGA Tour is going to pump around $1 billion as equity for up to 193 golfers on the circuit following its recent investment deal with Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of US investors led by Liverpool FC owner Fenway Sports.
Hovland is down to 5/2 to join LIV Golf
Some $750m of that total will reportedly be split among the top 36 superstars adjudged by the PGA Tour to be the most deserving based on their appeal both on and off the course.
Hovland, it is understood, will pick up around $10-15m of that pot.
Woods will likely take away $100m, with McIlroy, who is set to return to the PGA Tour’s policy board, earning $50m.
Will it be enough to keep him locked to the PGA Tour though? We’ll have to wait and see…
Will Hovland join LIV Golf, or will the PGA Tour keep hold of its biggest and best stars following its new equity program? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
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